In a Thursday announcement, US' third-biggest mobile operator Sprint Nextel said its first Google Android-based touch-screen smartphone HTC Hero, joining the Sprint smartphone lineup comprising the Palm Pre and the BlackBerry Tour 9630, will be launched on October 11.

The feature-packed HTC Hero boasts a 3.2-inch capacitive touch screen; the HTC Sense for higher customization; as well as connectivity with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 3G through Sprint's EV-DO Rev; thereby making the smartphone a potential competitor for AT&T's iPhone 3GS.

In addition to an access to applications built on the Android platform, the open-source HTC Hero, priced at $179.99 with a two-year contract and $150 in rebates, offers synchronization for several built-in Google mobile services - like Gmail, Google Search, Google Maps, and YouTube.

Hero HTC's Sprint version will have small physical alterations vis-à-vis the smartphone's international version; along with some carrier-specific applications, like Sprint TV, over and above the nearly 8,000 apps that would be available for download from the Android Market.

In a statement, Kevin Packingham, Senior VP of product development for Sprint, said: "The arrival of HTC Hero and the Android platform to Sprint's network is an important milestone for our customers and the US wireless industry. HTC Hero users will appreciate a much better experience than is possible now with any other Android phone operating in the US."